Cash donation for healthy heart project in Sheffield

Yorkshire-based national charity, Heart Research UK and fast food chain SUBWAY donated £4,500 to the Sova project in Sheffield, which works with vulnerable and disadvantaged people.

It will run a year-long programme to help young people improve their lifestyles and make better informed health decisions.

The project will support up to 100 people aged between seven and 25 who are in care or identified as being at risk of going into care.

Sova, which runs a drop-in centre in Park Hill, will use the cash to fund more than 80 activity sessions to try to reduce the risk of heart disease for this taking part.

Zumba classes, workouts and team sports will be available and participants will learn about healthy eating and the dangers of substance misuse and will be offered help to give up smoking.

Sova will equip young people to act as mentors to support each other on their journeys towards improving their heart health.

Thelma Whittaker, Sova Project Manager, said: “We will be able to deliver a project which will make young people think about what they can do now to improve their heart health and to make lifestyle changes to maintain a healthy heart.

“We know that young people listen to their peers, and a vital element of this work will be enabling other young people to develop the skills to get the message across - show you love your heart by keeping it healthy. This grant will enable us to make a real difference to the long term health of the young people and children we work with.”

Barbara Harpham, National Director of Heart Research UK said: “It’s great that we can fund projects like this which could really make a difference to young people’s lives by developing essential skills to keep their hearts healthy.”

Heart Research UK funds medical research and awards grants for community-based lifestyle projects.